Dumbya announces new plan to destroy the human race

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration on Thursday said it will relax costly air
pollution rules when U.S. utilities are repaired or expanded, triggering a storm of protest from
environmental groups and some Democrats.

The move by the Environmental Protection Agency ( news - web sites) came after months of
lobbying by U.S. utilities and industry, which have long complained about complex rules on how far
they can go to enlarge or upgrade a plant before having to install costly equipment to control smog,
acid rain and soot.

"Our review clearly established that some aspects of the New Source Review program have deterred
companies from implementing projects that would increase energy efficiency and decrease air
pollution," she said.

The changes to the agency's New Source Review program -- which is part of the Clean Air Act --
were 10 years in the making. They followed bitter court fights by some utilities over Clinton
administration attempts to enforce the rules.

A Bush administration official called the changes a "common-sense reform" that balance environmental
protection with the nation's need for more electricity. The rule change will also apply to oil refineries
and industrial plants.

DASCHLE, GREEN GROUPS BLAST DECISION

However, environmentalists and some Democrats criticized the action as the latest in a series of Bush
administration moves allowing more pollution by industry.

"I'm very, very saddened by the news again today that once again clean air takes a back seat to the
polluters and the special interests that seem to have such power in this administration," Daschle told
reporters.

Environmental issues are expected to figure in many of the November elections that will determine
control of the U.S. House and Senate.

The EPA is likely to face a court challenge from environmentalists or state regulators over the rule
changes.

Emission regulations pit the Northeast against the Midwest, which has many aging coal-fueled power
plants that blow pollution across state lines.

The EPA ignored the public health impact of more utility pollution, green groups said.

"It's a major weakening of standards," said Philip Clapp, president of the National Environmental
Trust. "The EPA has no calculations on increased pollution or public health impacts."

Clapp described the move as "payback for big utility campaign contributions" during the 2000
election.

PLANTS WILL SET BASELINE EMISSIONS

The EPA said it prepared the new rules after concluding that the New Source Review program forced
some utilities and refineries to cancel projects.

Under the new rules, utilities can expand production by easing emission baseline requirements that
otherwise would require new pollution controls.

Plants will be allowed to use any consecutive 24-month period from the past 10 years to establish a
baseline, as long as all current control requirements are taken into account.

As part of the new rules, the EPA also will clarify the definition of "routine" repairs by utilities and
plants.

Current regulations exclude repairs and maintenance that are considered routine until a complex
analysis is performed to determine what is routine. This has deterred companies from performing
needed repairs, resulting in unnecessary emissions of pollution, according to the agency.

The new definition of "routine" repairs is sweeping, Clapp said.

"You can do anything but tear the plant down and keep your exemption, so these plants will never be
cleaned up," he said.

A utility industry group said the new rules would help plants produce more electricity.

"The current misinterpretation of New Source Review has been a disaster for the environment and the
economy," said Scott Segal, a spokesman for the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council. It
represents utilities like Southern Co, FirstEnergy Corp and Duke Energy Corp .

The Clinton administration in November 1999 sued nine Midwest and Southern utilities to enforce the
New Source Review rules. The Tennessee Valley Authority, the nation's largest public power
producer, is awaiting a decision by a federal appeals court, which could set the tone for future cases.

Answers

A week ago, his administration announces their report which concludes
that human activity is causing global warming and that it will cause
many disasters if not stopped. And this is their response? Huh.
Makes sense. In Dumbya's backward world!

Not arrogant, but it does require a brain, which you are sorely
lacking. The planet will survive despite our attempts to destroy it
until God decides to destroy it. The human race (which is what this
post indicated, since you are too stupid to grasp that), however, is a
very different story. I suppose idiots like you won't be satisfied
until humans are breathing pure carbon monoxide and dying of cancer
before they reach 10 years old, but that just proves your stupidity.

You are all good people. I have been an ass and a buffoon. I have
disrespected you all. I apologize and humbly request your forgiveness.
I may disagree with most of you but that does not give me license to
verbally abuse you.

I withdraw my presence from this forum due to terminal foot-in-mouth
disease.
I could have made friends here but I chose not to. My loss.

Nipper, Anita, Z, Cherri, I apologize for embarrassing you. You guys
make the case for the Left with eloquence and integrity. I have much
to learn from you.